Renewable generation figures, published today by the Department for the Economy (DfE), show continued decline due to lack of market support.

In the first quarterly report since the publication of the final design of the Renewable Electricity Price Guarantee (REPG), 44.2 per cent of electricity was from renewable sources.

The Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland report covering the 12 months to September 2025, shows total renewable generation of 3,219GWh with onshore wind accounting for 82.2 per cent. This represents a continued downward trend from the 51 per cent peak achieved in 2022.

Mark Richardson, RenewableNI Director explained: “Quarterly figures will always shift slightly with changes in weather, but overall, the trend should be rising as we approach the Climate Act obligation of 80 per cent renewable electricity by 2030.  Instead, because we have no market support scheme in place, very few new projects are progressing and generation is sliding backwards.

“To put this in perspective, in 2016 when the last renewable electricity support scheme was operational, 400MW of new generation was connected.  Since 2020, we have added just over 100MW of new generation in total.”

The REPG Final Scheme Design was published in mid-September, but the renewable sector is still waiting for the accompanying terms and conditions.  The draft bill was expected to be tabled at the Assembly in autumn but will now be 2026.

RenewableNI has continually warned that delays in policy and infrastructure reform are contributing to the ongoing decline.

RenewableNI is holding a seminar on 10 December 2025, with a panel including DfE, NIE Networks, legal experts and planners.  Together with wider industry, it will focus on reversing the decline and the immediate action required to ensure the sector is ready for the first REPG auction.  While the final design sets a target date of Q1 2027, there is growing concern that this timeline will slip without urgent action.

Mark Richardson continued: “I have been in post for less than a month and already it is clear that there is growing concern in the wider renewable sector in the delivery of policy and infrastructure reforms needed to secure the economic and social benefits of clean power.

“The renewable electricity sector is ready with enough projects in pre- and planning to meet future demand.  We can prepare for decarbonising heat and transport. But we cannot do it while market security and planning timelines need to be addressed to stop stagnating as RoI and GB power ahead.

“There are 500 days left in this Assembly mandate.  People need to see delivery, real legislated policy that improves their lives before they are asked to vote again.  The legislative timetable is tight, but all parties signed up to the target of 80per cent by 2030.  The same cross party support can ensure the support scheme goes through at pace unlocking investment in Northern Ireland as well as a secure energy supply.

“Northern Ireland has led progress in renewables before, I’m confident it can happen again but the time to act is now.”

ENDS.

For media inquiries please contact Judith Rance, Head of Communications and Events, RenewableNI, Judith.Rance@RenewableNI.com, 07875-681-794.  

Notes to editors

• DfE Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation Statistics report available at https://datavis.nisra.gov.uk/Economy/electricity-consumption-and-renewable-generation-report.html
• 2% of total metered electricity consumption in Northern Ireland was generated from metered renewable sources located in Northern Ireland. This represents a decrease of 0.3 percentage points on the previous 12 month period (October 2023 to September 2024).
• RenewableNI is the voice of the renewable electricity industry. Through the development of policy, best practice and public communications, we represent those engaged in wind, solar and battery storage development. Our members make up a large majority of the renewable industry supply chain in Northern Ireland.